Output system, output method, and output apparatus

ABSTRACT

An output system includes a terminal apparatus, an output apparatus, and an information processing apparatus that are interconnected via a network. The output system includes a unit that registers an output request for output data received from the terminal apparatus that is operated by a registering user, a unit that displays information on the registering user that has designated an outputting user operating the output apparatus as a delegate user and receives a selection of the registering user from the outputting user, a unit that receives from the output apparatus an acquisition request for the output request of the selected registering user and provides the requested output request to the output apparatus, and a unit that receives a selection of the output request from the outputting user, acquires the output data of the selected output request, and outputs the acquired output data at the output apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an output system, an output method, andan output apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Print systems are known that implement a mechanism for attaching to aprint job a user execution authorization table that stores userinformation of a user authorized to execute the print job. In this way,the print system enables a user other than the user that has spooled theprint job to execute the print job without compromising security (seee.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-71196).

For example, the so-called pull print system implements a mechanism forinitially storing a print job registered by a user operating a clientterminal and subsequently executing the print job at an image formingapparatus in response to a print instruction from the user that hassuccessfully logged into the image forming apparatus. In some pull printsystems, a delegate user may be set up such that a user other than aregistering user that has registered a print job may be able to executethe print job.

However, to enable a user other than the registering user that hasregistered a print job to execute the print job, a delegate user has tobe set up each time a print job is registered thereby imposing a burdenon the registering user.

Note that the above problem may be encountered not only in pull printsystems but in other various types of output systems that are configuredto have an output apparatus such as a projector or a monitor output ajob stored in a storage destination by a user.

Accordingly, there is a demand for a technique that enables a user toeasily set up delegate output settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an output systemis provided that includes a terminal apparatus, an output apparatus, andat least one information processing apparatus that are interconnectedvia a network. The output system includes a registration process unitconfigured to register an output request for output data received fromthe terminal apparatus that is operated by a registering user, aselection receiving unit configured to display at the output apparatusinformation on the registering user that has designated an outputtinguser operating the output apparatus as a delegate user and receive aselection of the registering user from the outputting user, an outputrequest providing unit configured to receive from the output apparatusan acquisition request for the output request of the registering userselected by the outputting user and provide to the output apparatus theoutput request of the registering user selected by the outputting user,and an output process unit configured to receive a selection of theoutput request for output data from the outputting user, acquire theoutput data of the selected output request from a storage destination,and output the acquired output data at the output apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a print systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of a computeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of an imageforming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary functional configuration of a printserver apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary functional configuration of the imageforming apparatus;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary functional configuration of a clientterminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary configuration of server information;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration of print job information;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary setting screen of the client terminal;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exemplary screens for accepting delegateuser settings;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary process steps of a loginprocess performed at the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary home screen displayed after a usersuccessfully logs in at the image forming apparatus;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary print job information list screen;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary process steps of a processfor displaying a print job information list screen including print jobinformation of an owner;

FIG. 15 illustrates exemplary inquiry information sent to the printserver apparatus to inquire about the number of print jobs registered byan owner;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary owner selection screen;

FIG. 17 illustrates another example of a print job information listscreen;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary process steps of a printjob output process according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary screen displayed when printing is inprogress;

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary print setting change screen;

FIG. 21 illustrates another exemplary configuration of print jobinformation;

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary delegate print accepting screen;

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary delegate user setting screen;

FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary delegate user candidate setting screen;

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary data configuration of print jobinformation;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process fordisplaying a print job information list screen including print jobinformation of an owner; and

FIG. 27 illustrates another example of inquiry information sent to theprint server apparatus to inquire about the number of print jobsregistered by an owner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, embodiments of the present invention are describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that although a printsystem is described below as an exemplary embodiment of an outputsystem, the present invention is not limited to a print system but mayalso be applied to other various types of output systems such as animage projection system and a display system that are configured tooutput a job stored in a storage destination.

First Embodiment System Configuration

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of aprint system according to an embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, the print system 1 includes a print server apparatus 10, anauthentication server apparatus 11, an image forming apparatus 12, and aclient terminal 13 that are connected to a network N1 such as a localarea network (LAN). The print server apparatus 10, the authenticationserver apparatus 11, the image forming apparatus 12, and the clientterminal 13 may include features for establishing wired or wirelesscommunication. Note that although the exemplary print system illustratedin FIG. 1 includes one of the print server apparatus 10, theauthentication server apparatus 11, the image forming apparatus 12, andthe client terminal 13, a plurality of the above devices may be includedin the print system.

The print server apparatus 10 may be implemented by at least oneinformation processing apparatus. The print server apparatus 10 storesprint data and print job information, and transmits the stored printdata and print job information to the image forming apparatus 12 inresponse to a request from the image forming apparatus 12, for example.

The authentication server apparatus 11 may be implemented by at leastone information processing apparatus. The authentication serverapparatus 11 stores user information, and performs authentication inresponse to a request from the image forming apparatus 12, for example.The authentication server apparatus 11 also provides a delegate usersetting function as described below. The image forming apparatus 12 isan exemplary embodiment of an output apparatus that is connected to thenetwork N1 through wired or wireless communication. The image formingapparatus 12 may be a printing apparatus such as a printer, a copier, ascanner, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP); a display apparatus thatdisplays (outputs) an image on a monitor; or a projection apparatus thatprojects (outputs) an image on a projector, for example. Also, an audiooutput apparatus for outputting audio data may be used, for example.

The client terminal 13 is a terminal apparatus that is operated by auser. The client terminal 13 may be a smartphone, a mobile phone, or apersonal computer (PC), for example. The client terminal 13 has a clienttool such as a plug-in installed therein that provides a delegate usersetting function as described below.

Note that FIG. 1 illustrates merely one exemplary configuration of theprint system 1 according to the present embodiment. That is, the printsystem 1 is not limited to the configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1but may have other various configurations.

<Hardware Configuration>

The print server apparatus 10, the authentication server apparatus 11,and the client terminal 13 may be implemented by a computer having ahardware configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. FIG. 2 isa block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of acomputer 500.

In FIG. 2, the computer 500 includes an input device 501, a displaydevice 502, an external I/F 503, a RAM 504, a ROM 505, a CPU 506, acommunication I/F 507, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 508 that areinterconnected via a bus B. Note that in some embodiments, the inputdevice 501 and the display device 502 may be connected to the computer500 when they need to be used, for example.

The input device 501 may include a keyboard and/or a mouse, for example,and is used to input various operation signals to the computer 500. Thedisplay device 502 may include a display, for example, and is configuredto display processing results of the computer 500.

The communication I/F 507 is an interface for connecting the computer500 to the network N1. In this way, the computer 500 may establish datacommunication with other computers via the communication I/F 507.

The HDD 508 is a nonvolatile storage device storing programs and data.The programs stored in the HDD 508 may include an operating system (OS)corresponding to basic software controlling overall operations of thecomputer 500, and application software providing various functions underthe control of the OS, for example.

The external I/F 503 is an interface between the computer 500 and anexternal device. The external device may be a storage medium 503 a, forexample. The computer 500 may have information read from and/or writtenon the storage medium 503 a via the external I/F 503. Specific examplesof the storage medium 503 a include a flexible disk, a compact disk(CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a SD memory card, a universalserial bus (USB) memory, and the like.

The ROM 505 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) thatcan store programs and/or data even when the power is turned off. TheROM 505 stores programs and data such as a basic input/output system(BIOS) to be executed when the computer 500 is started, OS settings,network settings, and the like. The RAM 504 is a volatile semiconductormemory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and/or data.

The CPU 506 includes an arithmetic and logic unit that reads a programand/or data from a storage device such as the ROM 505 and/or the HDD508, loads the program and/or data in the RAM 504, and executesprocesses according to the program and/or data to control the overalloperations and functions of the computer 500.

The print server apparatus 10, the authentication server apparatus 11,and the client terminal 13 of the present embodiment may implementvarious processes as described below using the hardware configuration ofthe computer 500 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The image forming apparatus 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be implementedby a hardware configuration as illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. FIG.3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration ofthe image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment. InFIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 12 includes a controller 601, anoperation panel 602, an external I/F 603, a communication I/F 604, aprinter 605, and a scanner 606, for example.

The controller 601 includes a CPU 611, a RAM 612, a ROM 613, anon-volatile RAM (NVRAM) 614, and a HDD 615. The ROM 613 stores variousprograms and data. The RAM 612 temporarily stores programs and/or datato be used. The NVRAM 614 may store setting information, for example.The HDD 615 stores various programs and data.

The CPU 611 controls the overall operations and functions of the imageforming apparatus 12 by loading one or more of the programs, data, andsetting information stored in the ROM 613, the NVRAM 614, or the HDD 615onto the RAM 612, and executing processes accordingly, for example.

The operation panel 602 includes an input unit for receiving anoperation input from a user, and a display unit for displayinginformation. The external I/F 603 is an interface between the imageforming apparatus 12 and an external device. The external device may bea storage medium 603 a, for example. The image forming apparatus 12 mayperform read/write operations on the storage medium 603 a via theexternal I/F 603, for example. The storage medium 603 a may be an ICcard, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, a SD memory card, a USB memory, orsome other suitable storage medium, for example.

The communication I/F 604 is an interface for connecting the imageforming apparatus 12 to the network N1. In this way, the image formingapparatus 12 may establish data communication with other apparatuses viathe communication I/F 604. The printer 605 is a printing device thatprints (outputs) print data on a sheet such as paper, for example. Thescanner 606 is a scanning device that reads image data (electronic data)from an original document, for example.

<Software Configuration>

<<Print Server Apparatus>>

The print server apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may have afunctional configuration as illustrated in FIG. 4, for example. FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional configuration ofthe print server apparatus 10.

The print server apparatus 10 may execute relevant programs to implementthe functions of a job registration process unit 22, a job informationproviding unit 23, a print data providing unit 24, a server informationstorage unit 25, a job information storage unit 26, and a print datastorage unit 27.

The job registration process unit 22 is configured to receive print jobsand perform a job registration process. The job information providingunit 23 provides print job information to the image forming apparatus 12in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 12.

The print data providing unit 24 provides print data to the imageforming apparatus 12 in response to a request from the image formingapparatus 12. The server information storage unit 25 stores serverinformation as described in detail below. The job information storageunit 26 stores print job information. The print data storage unit 27stores print data.

<<Image Forming Apparatus>>

The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment mayhave a functional configuration as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example.FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functionalconfiguration of the image forming apparatus 12 according to the presentembodiment.

The image forming apparatus 12 may execute relevant programs toimplement the functions of an operation receiving unit 41, a datadisplay process unit 42, a login process unit 43, a job informationacquisition unit 44, a job selection receiving unit 45, a print dataacquisition unit 46, a print setting update receiving unit 47, and aprint process unit 48.

The operation receiving unit 41 receives an operation input from theuser. The data display process unit 42 displays information to the user.The login process unit 46 receives a login operation from the user andperforms a login process as described below. The job informationacquisition unit 44 acquires print job information from the print serverapparatus 10.

The job selection receiving unit 45 receives a selection of a print jobmade by the user from a print job information list screen as describedbelow. The print data acquisition unit 46 acquires print data of theselected print job from the print server apparatus 10 as describedbelow. The print setting update receiving unit 47 updates print settingsof print data upon receiving a print setting update (change) requestfrom the user. The print process unit 48 performs a print process forprinting the acquired print data according to the print settings of theprint data using the printer 605.

<<Client Terminal>>

The client terminal 13 of the present embodiment may have a functionalconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example. FIG. 6 is a blockdiagram illustrating an exemplary functional configuration of the clientterminal 13.

The client terminal 13 may execute relevant programs to implement thefunctions of a document creation application 61, a virtual printerdriver 62, an actual printer driver 63, a plug-in 64, a platform API 65,a platform 66, and a storage unit 67. The plug-in 64 includes a printflow plug-in 71, a job storage plug-in 72, and a delegate printingplug-in 73. The platform 66 includes a display control unit (UIcontroller) 81, a setting unit 82, and a communication unit 83.

The document creation application 61 is an example of an applicationthat receives a print request from a user. Note that the documentcreation application 61 is merely one illustrative example, and theclient terminal 13 may use some other application that receives anoutput request from the user.

The virtual printer driver 62 is a printer driver that convertsapplication data into print data in a machine-independent intermediateformat and outputs the converted print data. The print data in theintermediate format is print data that is not dependent on the specifictype of the image forming apparatus 12. Print data in XPS (XML PaperSpecification) format is an example of print data (output data) in theintermediate format. The application data is an example of output data.

The actual printer driver 63 is a printer driver that convertsapplication data or print data in the intermediate format into printdata in an actual format that enables the image forming apparatus 12 toprint the print data. Raw format data is an example of print data(output data) in the actual format.

Note that the application data, the print data in the intermediateformat, and the print data in the actual format may be regarded asoutput data that are configured into various data formats over a periodof time from when the user issues an output request for output datauntil an output apparatus outputs the output data. For example, theapplication data may be output data in a data format compatible with theapplication being used.

In other words, the application data, the print data in the intermediateformat, and the print data in the actual format may all be consideredoutput data by disregarding the data formats into which the data areconverted over the period of time from when an output request for outputdata is issued until the output data is output.

Also, note that output data of the present embodiment is not limited toprint data used for printing. Other examples of output data includedisplay data (image data) to be displayed/projected and audio data to beoutput. That is, any data adapted for use in one or more outputprocesses such as printing, image display, and/or audio reproduction maybe used as output data in an output system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

The plug-in 64 is software that is run on the platform 66. The plug-in64 uses the platform API 65 to implement the functions of the platform66. The print flow plug-in 71 of the plug-in 64 controls a print flow.The job storage plug-in 72 stores and manages print jobs. The delegateprinting plug-in 73 executes processes related to delegate printing. Thedelegate printing plug-in 73 is used when setting up a delegate user fora print job.

The platform API 65 is an interface used by the plug-in 64 to implementthe functions of the platform 66. The platform API 65 is a pre-definedinterface for enabling the platform 66 to receive a request from theplug-in 64 and may be configured by classes and/or functions, forexample.

The display control unit 81 of the platform 66 may control displayoperations of the display unit 102 in response to a request from thedocument creation application 61 or the plug-in 64, for example. Thesetting unit 82 is for setting up the plug-in 64. The communication unit83 establishes communication with the print server apparatus 10, theauthentication server apparatus 11, and the image forming apparatus 12,for example. The storage unit 67 may store settings and other relevantinformation, for example.

The client terminal 13 aggregates processes by aggregating functionscommonly used by the plug-in 64 in the platform 66. Note that theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 6 is merely one illustrative exampleand the applications of the client terminal 13 do not necessarily haveto be configured into a hierarchical structure as illustrated in FIG. 6.Note, also, that a suitable plug-in for implementing a function desiredby the user or the administrator may be installed and used as theplug-in 64. That is, the client terminal 13 does not necessarily have toinclude the print flow plug-in 71, the job storage plug-in 72, and thedelegate printing plug-in 73 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

<<Server Information>>

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating an exemplary configuration of serverinformation. In FIG. 7, the server information includes informationitems such as server ID, IP address, host name, port number, and portnumber (https). The server ID is identification information for uniquelyidentifying the print server apparatus 10 as a server. The IP address isthe IP address of the server specified by the server ID.

The host name is the host name of the server specified by the server ID.The port number is the port number of the port used when communicatingwith the server specified by the server ID. The port number (https) isthe port number of the port used when communicating with the serverspecified by the server ID using encryption.

For example, upon printing print data of a print job, the image formingapparatus 12 may search the server information as illustrated in FIG. 7using a server ID included in print job information of the print job(described below) as key information to establish communication with theprint server apparatus 10 storing the print data of the print job, andacquire the print data of the print job from the print server apparatus10.

<<Print Job Information>>

FIG. 8 is a table illustrating an exemplary configuration of print jobinformation. In FIG. 8, the print job information includes informationitems such as document ID, user name, user display name, server ID, jobname, data storage destination, language, number of pages, print sidesetting, color information, and number of copies.

The document ID is identification information for uniquely identifyingthe print job. The user name is the name of the user that has registeredthe print job. The user display name is the display name of the userthat has registered the print job. The server ID is the server ID of theserver storing the print data of the print job. The job name is the nameof the print job such as the document name of the print data. The datastorage destination indicates where the print data is stored.

The language indicates the data format of the print data being stored.For example, if the language of the print job information is “XPS”, thismeans that the print data in the intermediate format is stored. If thelanguage is “PCL”, this means that the print data in the actual formatis stored. Note that print data in the intermediate format refers toprint data in a format that enables easy reediting and has common formatspecifications open to the public. Note that the print data in theintermediate format is not limited to data in XPS format, but may bedata in other formats such as PDF (Portable Document Format), forexample.

On the other hand, print data in the actual format refers to print datadependent upon the image forming apparatus 12. Note that the print datain the actual format is not limited to data in PCL format, but may bedata in other formats such as PS (Post Script), for example.

One of the differences in the characteristics of print data in theintermediate format and print data in the actual format lies in theircapability to accommodate changes to settings relating to the outputmodes of print data (output data editing). Examples of settings relatingto the output modes of print data include a print side setting forimplementing double side printing or single side printing, a color modefor implementing color printing or black and white printing, and acombine setting for implementing “2 in 1” printing.

For example, print data in XPS format (intermediate format) canaccommodate changes in the print side setting, changes in the colormode, and changes in the combine setting. On the other hand, althoughprint data in PCL format (actual format) can accommodate changes in theprint side setting and a change from color printing to black and whiteprinting, it cannot accommodate a change from black and white printingto color printing or a change in the combine setting. Note that thecapability of the print data in the intermediate format to accommodate awider range of changes to settings relating to the output modes of printdata is one aspect of the capability of the intermediate format toenable easy reediting of output data.

The number of pages represents the number of pages of the print data.The print side setting represents whether the print data is to beprinted on one side or two sides of a printing sheet. The colorinformation represents the color mode of the print data. The number ofcopies represents the number of copies to be printed upon printing theprint data. For example, when a user makes a request to register a printjob, print job information of the print job specified in the userregistration request may be registered in the print job information ofFIG. 8.

<Process Operations>

In the following, process operations of the print system 1 according tothe present embodiment are described in greater detail.

<<Setup Process at Client Terminal>>

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary screen image of a setting screen 1000displayed at the client terminal 13. The setting screen 1000 of FIG. 9enables a user to specify settings for establishing communication withthe print server apparatus 10, settings for establishing communicationwith the authentication server apparatus 11, and authentication settings(authentication information).

Settings for establishing communication with the print server apparatus10 include a host name/IP address, a port number, and SSL validity(ON/OFF) information. Note that in FIG. 9, the settings for establishingconnection with the print server apparatus 10 may be tested by pressinga “Connection Test” button 1002.

Settings for establishing communication with the authentication serverapparatus 11 include a host name/IP address and a port number. Note thatin FIG. 9, the settings for establishing connection with theauthentication server apparatus 11 may be tested by pressing a“Connection Test” button 1001.

<<Delegate User Setting Process at Authentication Server Apparatus>>

The authentication server apparatus 11 may receive a delegate usersetting via screens as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, for example.FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exemplary screens that are configured toreceive delegate user settings. FIG. 10A illustrates an example of auser editing screen 1010 for performing a user editing process at theauthentication server apparatus 11. FIG. 10B illustrates an example of adelegate user setting screen 1020 for performing a delegate user settingprocess at the authentication server apparatus 11. Note that the userediting screen 1010 of FIG. 10A and the delegate user setting screen1020 of FIG. 10B may be displayed at the authentication server apparatus11 or the client terminal 13 that is connected to the authenticationserver apparatus 11 via the network N1, for example.

The user editing screen 1010 of FIG. 10A includes entry fields forentering a login user name and a display name, and buttons for editing apassword, card information, delegate user information, and authorizationinformation. Note that the display name to be entered in the userediting screen 1010 corresponds to the user display name to be displayedat the image forming apparatus 12.

When the button 1011 for editing the delegate user information ispressed, the authentication server apparatus 11 displays the delegateuser setting screen 1020 of FIG. 10B. The delegate user setting screen1020 of FIG. 10B is for enabling a login user that has logged in via theuser editing screen 1010 of FIG. 10A to set up delegate user settingsfor delegating a print job of the login user to a delegate user.

The delegate user setting screen 1020 of FIG. 10B illustrates anexemplary case where a login user that has logged into theauthentication server apparatus 11 via the user editing screen 1010 ofFIG. 10A is selecting user names “AAA” and “BBB” as delegate users thatare to be delegated authorization to execute a print job of the loginuser corresponding to an owner of the print job. Note that informationassociating the owner and the delegate users set up via the user editingscreen 1010 and the delegate user setting screen 1020 may becommunicated from the authentication server apparatus 11 to the imageforming apparatus 12 when one of the delegate users logs into the imageforming apparatus 12, for example.

By providing the information associating the owner and the delegateusers set up via the user editing screen 1010 and the delegate usersetting screen 1020 to the image forming apparatus 12, when one of thedelegates user logs into the image forming apparatus 12 as a login user,the delegate user may be able to execute (print) all the print jobs ofthe owner, for example.

<<Login Process at Image Forming Apparatus>>

A user may log into the image forming apparatus 12 according to theprocess steps as illustrated in FIG. 11, for example. FIG. 11 is aflowchart illustrating exemplary process steps of a login processperformed at the image forming apparatus 12. Note that in the followingdescriptions, it is assumed that an owner has already stored(registered) a print job in the print server apparatus 10, and the userlogging into the image forming apparatus 12 (login user) is a delegateuser designated by the owner. For example, the owner may start a printjob storage process by operating the document creation application 61 toopen a print setting screen and selecting the virtual printer driver 62to issue a print request. When the owner selects the virtual printdriver 62 and issues the print request, the client terminal 13 may storethe print job in the print server apparatus 10.

To start the login process, the user may make a request to have a loginscreen displayed by operating the operation panel 602 of the imageforming apparatus 12, for example. The operation receiving unit 41 ofthe image forming apparatus 12 receives the user operation and promptsthe data display process unit 42 to display the login screen.

In step S51, the operation receiving unit 41 receives a user name thatis input to the login screen by the user. Also, in step S52, theoperation receiving unit 41 receives a password that is input to thelogin screen by the user. The user name and the password are examples ofauthentication information of the user. In step S53, the login processunit 43 transmits the user name and the password input via the loginscreen as authentication information to the authentication serverapparatus 11 and makes an inquiry regarding the authenticationinformation.

In step S54, the authentication server apparatus 11 receives theauthentication information from the image forming apparatus 12. In stepS55, the authentication server apparatus 11 requests a user informationstorage unit 91 to search for the authentication information receivedfrom the image forming apparatus 12. The user information storage unit91 stores authentication information of authorized users. The userinformation storage unit 91 searches the authentication information ofauthorized users to determine whether the authentication informationreceived from the image forming apparatus 12 is included therein, andtransmits the search result to the authentication server apparatus 11.

In step S56, the authentication server apparatus 11 receives the searchresult from the user information storage unit 91. In step S57, theauthentication server apparatus 11 determines whether the authenticationinformation stored in the user information storage unit 91 includesauthentication information matching that received from the image formingapparatus 12.

If there is a match between the authentication information received fromthe image forming apparatus 12 and the authentication information storedin the user information storage unit 91, in step S58, the authenticationserver apparatus 11 sets up use authorization of the user to allow useof the image forming apparatus 12. Then, in step S59, the authenticationserver apparatus 11 transmits a success notification and the useauthorization information set up for the user to the image formingapparatus 12.

If there is no match between the authentication information receivedfrom the image forming apparatus 12 and the authentication informationstored in the user information storage unit 91, in step S59, theauthentication server apparatus 11 transmits a failure notification tothe image forming apparatus 12.

In step S60, the login process unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 12receives a result of the inquiry regarding the authenticationinformation from the authentication server apparatus 11. Note that theinformation associating the owner and the delegates user set up via theuser editing screen 1010 and the delegate user setting screen 1020 maybe communicated from the authentication server apparatus 11 to the imageforming apparatus 12 in step S60, for example.

In step S61, the login process unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 12determines whether it has received from the authentication serverapparatus 11 use authorization information as part of the result of theinquiry regarding the authentication information. If it is determinedthat use authorization information has been received, the login processunit 43 allows successful login of the user in step S62. Throughsuccessful login, the user may be able to use applications and functionsof the image forming apparatus 12 within the scope of the useauthorization set up for the user. If it is determined that useauthorization information has not been received from the authenticationserver apparatus 11, the login process unit 43 may indicate on theoperation panel 602 that the login process ended in failure, forexample.

Note that although a user name and a password are used as authenticationinformation in the login process illustrated in FIG. 11, the loginprocess may be performed using other types of information such as ICcard registration information, for example. In the case of using IC cardregistration information in the login process, for example, IC cardregistration information may be pre-registered in association with auser name or some other form of user identification information in theuser information storage unit 91. When IC card registration informationthat is not associated with user identification information is used inthe login process, the login process may involve accepting a process ofregistering IC card registration information in association with useridentification information such as a user name from the image formingapparatus 12, for example.

If login is successful, the data display process unit 42 of the imageforming apparatus 12 may display on the operation panel 602 a homescreen 1030 as illustrated in FIG. 12, for example. FIG. 12 illustratesan exemplary screen image of a home screen that may be displayed at theimage forming apparatus 12 after successful login. The home screen 1030of FIG. 12 displays link buttons to applications such as a copier, aprinter, a document server, a scanner, and a facsimile to enable easyaccess to these applications.

Also, the home screen 1030 of FIG. 12 displays an “Update” button and a“Logout” button to enable the user to smoothly update a screen orlogout, for example. Further, the home screen 1030 of FIG. 12 includesan “Embedded Application” link button for enabling the user to set uplinks to applications other than the above basic applications. Note thatthe home screen 1030 of FIG. 12 is merely one illustrative example of ahome screen, and the layout of the home screen may vary depending on theuse authorization of the user and may be changed through useroperations, for example.

<<Print Job Information List Screen>>

By pressing the link button to the printer application displayed on thehome screen 1030, for example, the login user may make a request to theimage forming apparatus 12 to display a print job information listscreen. In response to such a request, the job information acquisitionunit 44 of the image forming apparatus 12 makes a request to the printserver apparatus 10 for print job information of the user that hassuccessfully logged in. The job information providing unit 23 of theprint server apparatus 10 searches for print job information associatedwith the user name of the user that has successfully logged in.

The job information providing unit 23 also acquires the server ID thatis set up in the print job information of the user, and searches forserver information associated with the acquired server ID. The jobinformation providing unit 23 transmits the print job information of theuser and the server information associated with the acquired server IDto the image forming apparatus 12.

The job information acquisition unit 44 of the image forming apparatus12 receives from the print server apparatus 10 the print job informationof the user that has successfully logged in and the server informationassociated with the server ID that is set up in the print jobinformation of the user. The data display process unit 42 of the imageforming apparatus 12 uses the received print job information of the userand the server information associated with the server ID set up in theprint job information of the user to display a print job informationlist screen as illustrated in FIG. 13, for example.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary screen image of a print job informationlist screen 1050. The print job list screen 1050 of FIG. 13 includes aprint job information list 1051 indicating the print job information ofthe user who has successfully logged in. The print job information ofeach print job included in the print job information list 1051 isrepresented by a selectable component such as a button. Note that in theexample of FIG. 13, each of the selectable components representing theprint job information of the user indicates the document name of theprint data, the date the print job storage process was executed, thenumber of pages, the number of copies, the print side setting, and thecolor information.

Also, the print job information list screen 1050 of FIG. 13 includes a“Select All” button, a “Select Owner” button 1052, an “Update” button, a“Change Conditions” button, a “Delete” button, and a “Print” button.Further, the print job information list screen 1050 of FIG. 13 displaysthe number of print jobs stored by the user that has successfully loggedin.

The “Select All” button is a button for selecting all the print jobinformation included in the print job information list 1051. The “SelectOwner” button 1052 is a button for prompting the operation panel 602 todisplay an owner selection screen as described in detail below. The“Update” button is a button for updating the print job information list1051. When the “Update” button is pressed, the job informationacquisition unit 44 reacquires the print job information and the serverinformation from the print server apparatus 10.

The “Change Conditions” button is a button for displaying a printsetting change screen for changing the print settings of the print jobinformation that is currently selected. The “Delete” button is a buttonfor deleting the print job information that is currently selected. The“Print” button is a button for issuing a print instruction for the printjob information that is currently selected.

<<Owner Print Job Information List Screen>>

The login user may request the image forming apparatus 12 to display anowner selection screen by pressing the “Select Owner” button 1052displayed on the print job information list screen 1050, for example.When the owner selection screen is displayed at the image formingapparatus 12, the login user may select an owner from the ownerselection screen to prompt the print job information list screen todisplay a list of print job information of print jobs delegated to thelogin user by the selected owner.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process of displayingthe print job information list screen including a print job informationlist of print jobs that are delegated to the login user by the selectedowner.

In step S71, the operation receiving unit 41 of the image formingapparatus 12 receives an operation input corresponding to the login userpressing the “Select Owner” button 1052. In step S72, the jobinformation acquisition unit 44 makes an inquiry to the print serverapparatus 10 regarding the number of print jobs that are delegated tothe login user. Note that in step S72, the job information acquisitionunit 44 may make an inquiry regarding the number of print jobs of aplurality of owners that have designated the login user as a delegateuser.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of inquiry information sent to the printserver apparatus 10 to inquire about the number of print jobs of one ormore owners. The inquiry information of FIG. 15 represents an exemplarycase where “Owner_A” and “Owner_B” have delegated authority to the loginuser to execute their print jobs. By sending the above inquiryinformation to the print server apparatus 10, the print server apparatus10 may be notified of the user names of the owners that have designatedthe login user as a delegate user.

In step S73, the job information providing unit 23 of the print serverapparatus 10 searches the print job information stored in the print jobinformation storage unit 26 using the user names of the owners. In stepS74, the job information providing unit 23 counts the number of printjobs associated with each user name of each owner based on the result ofthe above search.

In step S75, the job information providing unit 23 communicates theresult of counting the number of print jobs associated with each username of each owner to the image forming apparatus 12 as a response tothe inquiry made in step S72.

In step S76, the data display process unit 42 of the image formingapparatus 12 displays on the operation panel 602 an owner selectionscreen 1060 as illustrated in FIG. 16, for example, based on the resultof counting the number of print jobs associated with each user name ofeach owner received from the print server apparatus 10.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary screen image of the owner selectionscreen 1060. The owner selection screen 1060 of FIG. 16 displaysselectable components such as buttons that represent owner informationof selectable owners. In the illustrated example, each of the selectablecomponents representing the owner information indicates the user displayname of the owner that has designated the login user as a delegate userand the number of print jobs of the owner having the login userdesignated as a delegate user (count result of counting the print jobsassociated with the user name of the owner).

Also, the owner selection screen 1060 of FIG. 16 includes a “Cancel”button for requesting the execution of a cancelling process and closingthe owner selection screen 1060, and an “OK” button for displaying aprint job information list screen including the list of print jobinformation of print jobs of the owner selected by the login user.

In step S77, the login user selects an owner from the owner selectionscreen 1060 of FIG. 16, for example, and presses the “OK” button. Instep S78, the job information acquisition unit 44 of the image formingapparatus 12 performs internal login using authentication settings ofthe owner selected from the owner selection screen 1060. Note that it isassumed in the present example that information required for performingthe internal login is acquired from the authentication server apparatus11 during the above-described login process.

In step S79, the job information acquisition unit 44 of the imageforming apparatus 12 sends an acquisition request to the print serverapparatus 10 for print job information of the owner that has beenselected from the owner selection screen 1060 of FIG. 16. In step S80,the job information providing unit 23 of the print server apparatus 10searches for print job information associated with the user name of theselected owner.

The job information providing unit 23 also acquires the server IDincluded in the print job information acquired from the above search,and searches for server information associated with the acquired serverID. In step S81, the job information providing unit 23 sends theacquired print job information and the server information to the imageforming apparatus 12.

The job information acquisition unit 44 of the image forming apparatus12 receives from the print server apparatus 10 the print job informationof the selected owner and the server information associated with theserver ID included in the above print job information. In step S82, thedata display process unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 12 displayson the operation panel 602 a print job information list screen 1070 asillustrated in FIG. 17, for example, based on the received print jobinformation of the selected owner and the server information associatedwith the server ID included in the print job information.

FIG. 17 illustrates another exemplary print job information list screen.The print job information list screen 1070 of FIG. 17 includes a printjob information list 1071 including print job information of print jobsof the selected owner. The print job information list screen 1070 ofFIG. 17 differs from the print job information list screen 1050 of FIG.13 in that it includes a “Login User” button 1072 instead of the “SelectOwner” button 1052 and indicates the user display name of the selectedowner rather than the user display name of the login user.

The “Login User” button 1072 is a button for switching the screendisplay to the print job information list screen 1050 of FIG. 13. Thelogin user may use the “Select Owner” button 1052 of FIG. 13 and the“Login User” button 1072 of FIG. 17 to easily switch displays betweenthe print job information of the login user and the print jobinformation of a selected owner.

By implementing the process of FIG. 14, the login user may easily promptthe image forming apparatus 12 to display the print job information list1071 indicating print job information of print jobs delegated to thelogin user by a selected owner, and the login user may thus easilydirect the image forming apparatus 12 to execute a print job selectedfrom the print job information list 1071, for example. Also, the ownermay set up delegate user settings in advance to delegate all print jobsregistered by the owner to a delegate user, and in this way, proceduresfor settings up delegate printing may be simplified, for example.

<<Print Job Output Process>>

The login user may make a request to the image forming apparatus 12 toperform a print job output process by selecting the desired print jobinformation from the print job information list 1051 and pressing the“Print” button of the print job information list screen 1050 of FIG. 13,for example. Also, the login user may make a request to the imageforming apparatus 12 to perform a print job output process by selectingthe desired print job information from the print job information list1071 and pressing the “Print” button of the print job information listscreen 1070 of FIG. 17, for example.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary process steps of a printjob output process according to the present embodiment. In step S101,the job selection receiving unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 12receives a selection of print job information made by the user from theprint job information list 1071 of the print job information list screen1070 of FIG. 17, for example.

In step S102, when the user presses the “Print” button of the print jobinformation list screen 1070, the job selection receiving unit 45receives a print instruction to print the print data of the print jobinformation selected in step S101. In step S103, the print dataacquisition unit 46 sends a print data acquisition request to the printserver apparatus 10 to acquire the print data of the print jobinformation for which the print instruction has been issued.

In step S104, the print server apparatus 10 receives the print dataacquisition request from the image forming apparatus 12. In step S105,the print data providing unit 24 of the print server apparatus 10acquires from the print data storage unit 27 print data in the actualformat according to the print data acquisition request from the imageforming apparatus 12. In step S106, the print data providing unit 24sends the print data in the actual format to the image forming apparatus12 corresponding to the sender of the print data acquisition request.

In step S107, the image forming apparatus 12 receives the print data inthe actual format from the print server apparatus 10. In step S108, theprint process unit 48 of the image forming apparatus 12 executes a printprocess for printing the received print data in the actual format. Instep S109, the print process unit 48 completes the print process.

In step S110, the print process unit 48 starts a transmission processfor transmitting a print result of printing the print data in the actualformat. In step S111, the print server apparatus 10 receives the printresult of printing the print data. In step S112, the job registrationprocess unit 22 of the print server apparatus 10 performs processes suchas deleting the print data and updating the print job information basedon the received print result. Also, the print server apparatus 10 storesthe print result in an internal storage unit or an external storagedevice as an accounting log.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment, even when a delegateuser selects a print job of an owner and executes the print job, becausethe image forming apparatus 12 performs internal login usingauthentication settings of the owner, an account of the print jobmanaged by the print server apparatus 10 may indicate that the owner ofthe print job has executed the print job. That is, even when a delegateuser executes a print job on behalf of the owner of the print job, theowner of the print job is regarded as the one that has executed theprint job.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for a function ofcollecting and counting print accounting logs of print results in orderto keep track of the amount of resources used by each user (e.g. thenumber of printing sheets used by each user). When implementing such afunction, an accounting log of a print job executed by a delegate useron behalf of the owner of the print job may be counted as an accountinglog of the owner of the print job so that the accounting logs may bemanaged based on the amount of resources that each user actually uses,for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the image forming apparatus 12 of the printsystem 1 of the present embodiment can acquire and output print datastored in the print server apparatus 10.

Note that after receiving the print instruction for the selected printjob information in step S102, the data display process unit 42 of theimage forming apparatus 12 may display on the operation panel 602 ascreen indicating that printing is in progress as illustrated in FIG.19, for example.

FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary screen image of a printing screen 1080.The printing screen 1080 of FIG. 19 includes information such as thedocument name of the print data, the storage date/time of the printdata, and the number of pages of the print data so that the user may beable to check details of the print job being executed.

When the “Change Conditions” button of the print job information listscreen 1070 of FIG. 17 is pressed, for example, a print setting changescreen as illustrated in FIG. 20 may be displayed on the operation panel602 of the image forming apparatus 12, for example. FIG. 20 illustratesan exemplary screen image of a print setting change screen 1090.

The print setting change screen 1090 of FIG. 20 indicates print settingsthat can be changed in the print job information selected at the timethe “Change Conditions” button is pressed. In the print setting changescreen 1090 of FIG. 20, the number of copies, the print side setting,and the color information are indicated as examples of print settingsthat can be changed.

In the print setting change screen 1090 of FIG. 20, the print sidesetting may be left as is, or changed to single side printing. Also, inthe print setting change screen 1090 of FIG. 20, the color informationmay be left as is or changed to black and white printing. The printsetting change screen 1090 of FIG. 20 also includes a “Check Print”button and a “Print” button.

The “Check Print” button is a button for printing one copy of the printdata for checking the output. The “Print” button is a button forstarting the print process using the print settings displayed on theprint setting change screen 1090. When the “Print” button is pressed,the image forming apparatus 12 starts outputting the print data usingthe print settings displayed on the print setting change screen 1090.

Note that in the print system 1 of the present embodiment, print data inthe actual format is stored in the print server apparatus 10. Print datain the actual format can accommodate fewer changes to print settingscompared to print data in the intermediate format. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the print server apparatus 10 of the print system 1 may beconfigured to store print data in the intermediate format in order toaccept changes to a wider range of print settings including changes toprint settings relating to stapling and punching, for example.

In this case, the print system 1 of the present embodiment may display aprint setting change screen that can accept changes to print settingsrelating to stapling and punching, for example, when print jobinformation of print data in the intermediate format is selected.

Note, also, that in the print system 1 of the present embodiment, anaccount of a print job executed (output) by a delegate user is countedas an account of the owner of the print job.

According to an aspect of the print system 1 of the present embodiment,an owner may easily set up a delegate user that is given authorizationto execute all print jobs registered by the owner, for example.

Second Embodiment

In the print system 1 according to the first embodiment, an owner setsup a delegate user that is given authorization to execute all print jobsof the owner. On the other hand, in a print system 1 according to asecond embodiment, an owner sets up a delegate user with respect to eachprint job. Note that in the following, descriptions of features of thesecond embodiment that may be identical to those of the first embodimentmay be omitted.

The system configuration, the hardware configuration, and the softwareconfiguration of the print system 1 according to the second embodimentmay be substantially identical to those of the first embodiment.However, in the second embodiment, the print job information may have aconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 21, for example. FIG. 21illustrates an exemplary configuration of print job information used inthe second embodiment. The print job information of FIG. 21 includes theinformation item “print delegates” in addition to the information itemsof the print job information illustrated in FIG. 8. The item “printdelegates” indicates information on one or more delegate users that aregiven authorization to execute a relevant print job. For example, theuser ID of the delegate users may be set up as information representingthe print delegates.

When a user (owner) makes a request to register a print job, print jobinformation of the relevant print job may be registered in the print jobinformation of FIG. 21.

<Process Operations>

In the following, process operations of the print system 1 according tothe present embodiment are described. Note that the print system 1according to the present embodiment may perform processes substantiallyidentical to the above-described setting process at the client terminal13, the login process at the image forming apparatus 12, the process ofdisplaying the print job information list screen 1050, and the print joboutput process of the first embodiment.

<<Delegate User Setting Process at Client Terminal>>

To start a print job storage process at the client terminal 13, an ownermay operate the document creation application 61 to open a print settingscreen, and select the virtual printer driver 62 to issue a printinstruction, for example. When the owner selects the virtual printdriver 62 and makes a print request, the client terminal 13 may promptthe display device 502 to display a delegate print accepting screen 1100as illustrated in FIG. 22, for example.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary screen image of the delegate printaccepting screen 1100. A login user (owner) that has logged into theclient terminal 13 may designate whether to perform delegate printingfrom the delegate print accepting screen 1100 of FIG. 22, for example.When the login user selects “Perform delegate printing” from thedelegate print accepting screen 1100, the delegate printing plug-in 73of the client terminal 13 may prompt the display device 502 to display adelegate user setting screen 1110 as illustrated in FIG. 23, forexample.

FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary screen image of the delegate usersetting screen 1110. The delegate user setting screen 1110 of FIG. 23 isan example of a screen for executing a delegate user setting process atthe client terminal 13. For example, the login user corresponding to theowner of the print job subject to the present print job storage processmay select a delegate user that is to be given authorization to executethe print job from the delegate user setting screen 1110. The delegateuser setting screen 1110 of FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary case inwhich the login user corresponding to the owner of the print job subjectto the print job storage process selects users with the user names “AAA”and “BBB” as delegate users to be given authorization to execute theprint job.

Also, the login user corresponding to the owner of the print job mayselect a print driver that is to issue the print instruction forexecuting the print job from the delegate user setting screen 1110.Further, the login user corresponding to the owner of the print job maystart a delegate user candidate setting process by pressing a delegateuser candidate selection button 1111 included in the delegate usersetting screen 1110, for example.

When the login user corresponding to the owner of the print job pressesthe delegate user candidate selection button 1111, the client terminal13 may prompt the display device 502 to display a delegate usercandidate setting screen 1120 as illustrated in FIG. 24, for example.FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary screen image of the delegate usercandidate setting screen 1120.

The delegate user candidate setting screen 1120 includes display columnsindicating user names and user display names each arranged at the leftside and right side. In the delegate user candidate setting screen 1120of FIG. 24, users indicated in the left side display column that aremoved to the right side display column are set up as preset delegateusers (delegate user candidates).

As described above, the owner may select a delegate user for each printjob that is subject to a print job storage process via the delegate usersetting screen 1110. After a delegate user for a print job subject to aprint job storage process is selected, the job storage plug-in 72 of theclient terminal 13 may store in the print server apparatus 10 print jobinformation of the print job as illustrated in FIG. 25, for example.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary data configuration of print jobinformation. The print job information of FIG. 25 illustrates anexemplary case where “Owner_A” corresponding to the owner of the printjob has selected “User_A” and “User_B” as delegate users. In FIG. 25,the user display name of the owner (“Owner_A”) and the user IDs of thedelegate users (“10” and “11”) are indicated at the end of the PJL(Printer Job Language) JOB NAME command line.

The user ID is unique identification information assigned to each userat the authentication server apparatus 11. Thus, authorizations relatedto delegate printing may be delegated to suitable users by specifyingtheir user IDs. Note that the user display name of the owner included inthe print job information of FIG. 25 may be registered as informationrepresenting the user display name of the print job information of FIG.21. Also, the user IDs of the delegate users included in the print jobinformation of FIG. 25 may be registered as information representingprint delegates of the print job information of FIG. 21. Note that thecharacter “#” included at the end of the PJL JOB NAME command linerepresents a separator according to the PDL (Printer DescriptionLanguage) that may be used to set up a plurality of print delegates, forexample.

<<Owner Print Job Information List Screen>>

A login user corresponding to a delegate user may make a request to theimage forming apparatus 12 to display an owner selection screen bypressing the “Select Owner” button 1052 of the print job informationlist screen 1050 of FIG. 13, for example. When the owner selectionscreen is displayed at the image forming apparatus 12, the login usermay select an owner from the owner selection screen. In this way, aprint job information list screen including a print job information listof print jobs of the selected owner having the login user designated asa delegate user may be displayed at the image forming apparatus 12.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary process ofdisplaying a print job information list screen including print jobinformation of print jobs of a selected owner.

In step S131, the operation receiving unit 41 of the image formingapparatus 12 receives an operation input corresponding to the login userpressing the “Select Owner” button 1052.

In step S132, the job information acquisition unit 44 sends an inquiryto the print server apparatus 10 regarding the number of print jobs ofan owner that have the login user designated as a delegate user. Notethat the job information acquisition unit 44 may send an inquiry to theprint server apparatus 10 regarding the number of print jobs of aplurality of owners having the login user designated as a delegate user.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of inquiry information that may be sentto the print server apparatus 10 to inquire about the number of printjobs of an owner. The inquiry information of FIG. 27 illustrates anexemplary case where the login user corresponds to “User_A”. Byreceiving the inquiry information of FIG. 27, the printer serverapparatus 10 may be notified of the information item “delegateUserId=10”indicating that an inquiry is being made with regard to print jobinformation associated with the user ID “10” of “User_A” correspondingto the login user. Using the inquiry information of FIG. 27, the printserver apparatus 10 may determine whether each print job registered inthe print server apparatus 10 is delegated to the login user.

In step S133, the job information providing. unit 23 of the print serverapparatus 10 searches the information item “print delegates” of theprint job information stored in the job information storage unit 26using the user ID “10” of “User_A” as a search key. In step S134, thejob information providing unit 23 counts the number of print jobsassociated with each user name of each owner based on the search result.

In step S135, the job information providing unit 23 notifies the imageforming apparatus 12 of the result of counting the number of print jobsassociated with each user name of each owner as a response to theinquiry made by the image forming apparatus 12 in step S132. In stepS136, the data display process unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 12displays on the operation panel 602 an owner selection screen such asthe owner selection screen 1060 illustrated in FIG. 16 based on theresult of counting the number of print jobs associated with each username of each owner received from the print server apparatus 10.

In step S137, the login user selects an owner from the owner selectionscreen 1060 and presses the “OK” button. In step S138, the jobinformation acquisition unit 44 of the image forming apparatus 12performs internal login using the authentication settings of the ownerselected from the owner selection screen 1060. In the present example,it is assumed that information required for performing internal login isacquired from the authentication server apparatus 11 during the loginprocess of the login user.

In step S139, the job information acquisition unit 44 of the imageforming apparatus 12 sends an acquisition request to the print serverapparatus 10 to acquire print job information of print jobs that havebeen delegated to the login user by the owner selected from the ownerselection screen 1060. In step S140, the job information providing unit23 of the print server apparatus 10 searches for print job informationhaving the user ID of the login user set up in the information item“print delegates”.

Also, the job information providing unit 23 acquires the server ID setup in the print job information acquired from the above search, andsearches for server information that is associated with the acquiredserver ID. In step S141, the job information providing unit 23 sends theacquired print job information and the server information to the imageforming apparatus 12.

The image forming apparatus 12 receives from the print server apparatus10 the print job information of print jobs delegated to the login userby the selected owner and the server information associated with theserver ID that is set up in the above print job information. In stepS142, the data display process unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 12displays on the operation panel 602 a print job information list screensuch as the print job information list screen 1070 illustrated in FIG.17 based on the received print job information of print jobs of theselected owner and the server information with the server ID included inthe print job information.

By implementing the process of FIG. 26, a login user may easily promptthe image forming apparatus 12 to display the print job information list1071 including print job information of print jobs delegated to thelogin user by an owner and issue a print instruction to execute a printjob corresponding to the print job information selected from the printjob information list 1071, for example. Also, an owner may easily set upa delegate user for each print job by selecting a desired user from thedelegate user setting screen 1110, for example. In this way, proceduresfor setting up delegate printing may be simplified.

According to an aspect of the print system 1 of the present embodiment,an owner may easily set up a delegate user for each print job that isstored by the owner.

Although the present invention has been described above with referenceto certain preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limitedto these embodiments, and numerous variations and modifications may bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the print system 1 described above is merely oneillustrative example of an output system according to the presentinvention. That is, the present invention is not limited to a printsystem for managing print data and print job information but may beapplied to other output systems handling other various types of outputdata. Also, the client terminal 13 is one illustrative example of aterminal apparatus used by a user to issue an output request for outputdata or an instruction to execute an output process.

The print server apparatus 10 is one illustrative example of aninformation processing apparatus (data storage apparatus) that storesoutput data such as print data and output data related informationcorresponding to information relating to the output data such as printjob information, and transmits the output data and the output datarelated information to an output apparatus.

Thus, for example, if the output apparatus corresponds to a projector,the print server apparatus 10 may store display data (output data) to beprojected (output) by the projector and settings (output data relatedinformation) such as the display method to be used upon projecting(outputting) the display data.

Also, in some embodiments, the print server apparatus 10 may store bothprint data and display data, for example. In this case, the print serverapparatus 10 may transmit output data and output data relatedinformation to a plurality of different types of output apparatuses thatoutput different types of output data such as a MFP that prints outprint data and a projector that projects display data.

The authentication server apparatus 11 is one illustrative example of aninformation processing apparatus (authentication apparatus) thatperforms authentication in response to an authentication request andreturns an authentication result to the sender of the authenticationrequest. The owner is one illustrative example of a registering userthat registers an output request for output data from a terminalapparatus. The delegate user is one illustrative example of anoutputting user that operates an output apparatus such as the imageforming apparatus 12 to output the output data. Note that in a casewhere the owner is also authorized to output the output data, the ownermay also correspond to an outputting user.

The job registration process unit 22 is an illustrative example of aregistration process unit including a function of registering an outputrequest received from a terminal apparatus operated by a registeringuser. The job information acquisition unit 44 is an illustrative exampleof a selection receiving unit having a function of displaying, at anoutput apparatus operated by an outputting user, information of one ormore registering users that designate the outputting user as a delegateuser and receiving a selection of a registering user from the outputtinguser.

The job information providing unit 23 is an illustrative example of anoutput request providing unit including a function of receiving anacquisition request for acquiring an output request of a registeringuser that is selected by an outputting user and providing the outputrequest of the selected registering user.

The job selection receiving unit 45, the print data acquisition unit 46,and the print process unit 48 are illustrative features embodying anoutput process unit including a function of receiving a selection of anoutput request for output data from an outputting user, a function ofacquiring the output data of the selected output request from a storagedestination, and a function of outputting the acquired output data.

Also, the authentication server apparatus 11 and the delegate printingplug-in 73 are illustrative embodiments of a delegate user setting unitof the present invention that includes a function of setting anotheruser that is selected by a registering user as a delegate user andstoring the delegate user setting.

Note that embodiments of the delegate user setting unit of the presentinvention may include a first delegate user setting unit that isimplemented at the authentication server apparatus 11 and a seconddelegate user setting unit that is implemented at the delegate printingplug-in 73, for example.

The job information providing unit 23 implements a function of providinginformation related to output requests registered by a registering userthat designate another user (outputting user) as a delegate user (e.g.number of output requests associated with each user name/user displayname of each registering user). The job information providing unit 23 isan illustrative example of an information providing unit of the presentinvention.

Note that when providing the information related to output requestsregistered by a registering user, in some embodiments the informationmay be provided with respect to all print jobs registered by theregistering user, and in other embodiments, the information may beprovided with respect to output requests for which the registering userhas designated the outputting user as a delegate user. In view of theabove, the information providing unit implementing the function ofproviding information related to all output requests registered by theregistering user may be referred to as “first information providingunit”, and the information providing unit implementing the function ofproviding information related to output requests for which theregistering user has designated the outputting user as a delegate usermay be referred to as “second information providing unit”, for example.

Note that the present invention can be implemented in any convenientform, for example, using dedicated hardware, or a mixture of dedicatedhardware and software. The present invention may be implemented ascomputer software implemented by one or more networked processingapparatuses. The network can comprise any conventional terrestrial orwireless communications network, such as the Internet. The processingapparatuses can comprise any suitably programmed apparatuses such as ageneral purpose computer, personal digital assistant, mobile telephone(such as a WAP or 3G-compliant phone) and so on. Since the presentinvention can be implemented as software, each and every aspect of thepresent invention thus encompasses computer software implementable on aprogrammable device. The computer software can be provided to theprogrammable device using any non-transitory storage medium for storingprocessor readable code such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD ROM, amagnetic tape device or a solid state memory device. The non-transitorystorage medium can comprise any computer-readable medium except for atransitory, propagating signal.

The hardware platform includes any desired hardware resources including,for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory(RAM), and a hard disk drive (HDD). The CPU may include processors ofany desired type and number. The RAM may include any desired volatile ornonvolatile memory. The HDD may include any desired nonvolatile memorycapable of recording a large amount of data. The hardware resources mayfurther include an input device, an output device, and a network devicein accordance with the type of the apparatus. The HDD may be providedexternal to the apparatus as long as the HDD is accessible from theapparatus. In this case, the CPU, for example, the cache memory of theCPU, and the RAM may operate as a physical memory or a primary memory ofthe apparatus, while the HDD may operate as a secondary memory of theapparatus.

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of priorityof Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-226967 filed on Oct. 31, 2013,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An output system including a terminal apparatus,an output apparatus, and at least one information processing apparatusthat are interconnected via a network, the output system comprising: aregistration process unit configured to register an output request foroutput data received from the terminal apparatus that is operated by aregistering user; a selection receiving unit configured to display atthe output apparatus information on the registering user that hasdesignated an outputting user operating the output apparatus as adelegate user, and receive a selection of the registering user from theoutputting user; an output request providing unit configured to receivefrom the output apparatus an acquisition request for the output requestof the registering user selected by the outputting user, and provide tothe output apparatus the output request of the registering user selectedby the outputting user; and an output process unit configured to receivea selection of the output request for output data from the outputtinguser, acquire the output data of the selected output request from astorage destination, and output the acquired output data at the outputapparatus.
 2. The output system as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a first delegate user setting unit configured to receive adelegate user setting with respect to each registering user.
 3. Theoutput system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a firstinformation providing unit configured to receive from the outputapparatus an inquiry regarding a number of output requests of theregistering user that has designated the outputting user as the delegateuser, and provide to the output apparatus the number of output requestsof the registering user that has designated the outputting user as thedelegate user; wherein the selection receiving unit displays the numberof output requests of the registering user that has designated theoutputting user as the delegate user along with the information on theregistering user.
 4. The output system as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a second delegate user setting unit configured to receive adelegate user setting with respect to each output request and set up theoutputting user designated by the registering user as the delegate userin the output request of the registering user.
 5. The output system asclaimed in claim 4, further comprising: a second information providingunit configured to receive from the output apparatus an inquiryregarding the number of output requests having the outputting user setup as the delegate user, and provide to the output apparatus the numberof output requests having the outputting user set up as the delegateuser; wherein the selection receiving unit displays the number of outputrequests having the outputting user set up as the delegate user alongwith the information on the registering user.
 6. The output system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the output process unit displays a screenfor receiving the selection of the output request for output data fromthe outputting user, and switches between displaying an output requestfor output data registered by the outputting user on the screen anddisplaying the output request for output data having the outputting userset up as the delegate user on the screen.
 7. An output method that isexecuted in an output system including a terminal apparatus, an outputapparatus, and at least one information processing apparatus that areinterconnected by a network, the output method comprising: aregistration process step of registering an output request for outputdata received from the terminal apparatus that is operated by aregistering user; a selection receiving step of displaying at the outputapparatus information on the registering user that has designated anoutputting user operating the output apparatus as a delegate user andreceiving a selection of the registering user from the outputting user;an output request providing step of receiving from the output apparatusan acquisition request for the output request of the registering userselected by the outputting user and providing to the output apparatusthe output request of the registering user selected by the outputtinguser; and an output process step of receiving a selection of the outputrequest for output data from the outputting user, acquiring the outputdata of the selected output request from a storage destination, andoutputting the acquired output data at the output apparatus.
 8. Theoutput method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a firstdelegate user setting step of receiving a delegate user setting withrespect to each registering user.
 9. The output method as claimed inclaim 8, further comprising: a first information providing step ofreceiving from the output apparatus an inquiry regarding a number ofoutput requests of the registering user that has designated theoutputting user as the delegate user, and providing to the outputapparatus the number of output requests of the registering user that hasdesignated the outputting user as the delegate user; wherein theselection receiving step includes displaying the number of outputrequests of the registering user that has designated the outputting useras the delegate user along with the information on the registering user.10. The output method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: asecond delegate user setting step of receiving a delegate user settingwith respect to each output request, and setting up the outputting userdesignated by the registering user as the delegate user in the outputrequest of the registering user.
 11. The output method as claimed inclaim 10, further comprising: a second information providing step ofreceiving from the output apparatus an inquiry regarding the number ofoutput requests having the outputting user set up as the delegate user,and providing to the output apparatus the number of output requestshaving the outputting user set up as the delegate user; wherein theselection receiving step includes displaying the number of outputrequests having the outputting user set up as the delegate user alongwith the information on the registering user.
 12. The output method asclaimed in claim 7, wherein the output process step includes displayinga screen for receiving the selection of the output request for outputdata from the outputting user, and switching between displaying anoutput request for output data registered by the outputting user on thescreen and displaying the output request for output data having theoutputting user set up as the delegate user on the screen.
 13. An outputapparatus that establishes communication with a terminal apparatus andat least one information processing apparatus, the output apparatuscomprising: a selection receiving unit configured to display informationon a registering user that has registered an output request for outputdata and has designated an outputting user operating the outputapparatus as a delegate user, and receive a selection of the registeringuser from the outputting user; an output request acquisition unitconfigured to make an acquisition request to the information processingapparatus to acquire the output request of the registering user selectedby the outputting user, and acquire from the information processingapparatus the output request of the registering user selected by theoutputting user; and an output process unit configured to receive aselection of the output request for output data from the outputtinguser, acquire the output data of the selected output request from astorage destination, and output the acquired output data.
 14. The outputapparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: a firstacquisition unit configured to acquire a number of output requests ofthe registering user that has designated the outputting user as thedelegate user; wherein the selection receiving unit displays the numberof output requests of the registering user acquired by the firstacquisition unit along with the information on the registering user. 15.The output apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: asecond acquisition unit configured to acquire the number of outputrequests of the delegate user having the outputting user set up as thedelegate user; wherein the selection receiving unit displays the numberof output requests of the delegate user acquired by the secondacquisition unit along with the information on the registering user.